committee on veteran's affairs.presidentobamahasrequested $150.7 billion for the veteran's affair department in 2014. a 10.2 increase over 2013 funding level. the hearing is two hours. [inaudible conversations] a hearing on the way. i want to welcome everyone to the hearing on the fiscal year 2014 budget and the fiscal year of 2015 advanced appropriation request for the department of veterans affairs. earlier in year, i think we will recall we heard from nearly all the veteran surface organizations. these groups shared with us our priority which reflect the needs of the men and women who have served our country. i want to thank all of the organizations not only for the important testimony but the great work they do every single day. protecting the interest of america's veterans. if there's anything that many of us have learned in recent years, it is that the real cost of war is far, far greater than simply paying for the tank and gun and plane and the manpower to fight those wars. inlt that we unmore fully than we have in the past that soldiers who come home from war are often ver